University of Arizona Hockey

Staff

Head Coach: Chad Berman

Chad is in his second year with the University of Arizona, and this will be his first head coaching opportunity. Previously he coached under “Chico” Adrahtas, as the assistant coach at Robert Morris University-IL. While at RMU-IL, he had an overall record of 113-36-4. In his final season, for the first time in school history, RMU-IL won the CSCHL League Championship, the CSCHL League Playoffs, and finished as the runner up in the 2014 ACHA National Tournament. Chad’s primary role was working with the defensemen, where he prided himself in player development.

Chad’s playing career took him to Toledo, Ohio, where he played for the Toledo Jr. Storm and was able to put up 107 points in 50 games. That season opened up further opportunities as he landed in the NAHL with the Springfield Spirit and eventually Lansing Capital Center Pride. After his Jr. career, Chad went on to play NCAA Division 3 hockey for Jeff Meredith, at Sunny Fredonia.

Chad moves here to Tucson with his partner Sarah. They have a 3 year old son named Grady, who enjoys playing music, sports, and being the Arizona Wildcats’ #1 fan.

Assistant Coach: Dave Dougall

Dave was born in Buffalo, NY where he grew up playing youth hockey for the Wheatfield Blades. He is a devote Buffalo Sabres fan as his family holds season tickets to their games. Dave and his family moved to Tucson, AZ in 1978. He played one season of hockey in Tucson and then traveled to Phoenix to play for the Jr. Sharks. His parents logged many miles to take him to practice and games across the western states.

Dave attended Canyon Del Oro High School and graduated in 1983. He received his BS degree from the University of Arizona in Operations management in 1988. He currently works for the University of Arizona Student Unions as the C-Stores Manager. Dave has been employed at the University of Arizona since 2005 and enjoys the working environment on campus.

Dave is entering his ninth season as an Assistant Coach with Arizona Hockey. He was a member of the University of Arizona National Championship team in 1985, and was a captain for two years when he played from 1983-1987. Dougall was also named rookie of the year in 1984 and won the Best Defenseman honors twice, once in 85-86 and again in 86-87. He also won the University of Arizona’s Men’s Ice Hockey Athlete of the year award in 1987 and was elected to the University of Arizona Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

Dave is married to Pilar and they have four children, Cruz, Niko, Joey and Sienna. They have been married for 22 years as Pilar tolerates his passion for hockey and his reptile hobby. Their oldest Cruz is in the US Navy, Niko is an Assistant Coach with Tucson Soccer Academy and Salpointe Catholic High School, Joey plays youth soccer and baseball while Sienna is involved with the performance arts.

Team Statistician: Jim Corcoran

Jim has been with the Wildcat Hockey coaching staff since 2012. He grew up playing youth and high school hockey in Chicago, IL. Jim played his college hockey at Illinois State University.

Jim earned his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University where he was involved with the MSU Hockey program and researched the role that team confidence played on performance for member universities in the former CCHA. Jim also served as a certified coaches’ educator, conducted workshops for USA Hockey, the US Cycling Federation (Olympic Training Center), NCAA institutions, Institute of the Study of Youth Sports (MSU), and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Jim was an Assistant and eventual Head Coach at Lehigh University (ACHA D1) as well as an Assistant Coach at the University of Pennsylvania. He managed the Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success (CHAMPS) Program at Ohio State University where he also provided sport psychology educational services for the OSU Men’s Hockey Team as well as the Men’s and Women’s Pistol and Rifle Teams.

Second Assistant Coach: Eddie Lavella

Eddie is in his second year with the University of Arizona Hockey Organization, and first year as a second assistant coach. During the 2014 -2015 season he worked on defensive and team statistics alongside Jim Corcoran. Eddie has helped with youth organizations in both team and individual skills development since 2008.

Eddie grew up in Rochester NY, where he played for the Rochester Americans and Monroe County Eagles travel teams. He then went on to play High School and Junior hockey in Rochester before following an academic scholarship to the University of New Hampshire. In NH, Eddie continued his hockey career playing ACHA D2 Club Hockey for the university for 4 years.

Arriving in Tucson in the fall of 2013, seeking a Ph.D in Optical Engineering, Eddie’s love and passion for hockey continued. Eddie looks to give back to the game through coaching and strives to see the Arizona Wildcats win a National Championship